Coil unit, wireless power feeding device, wireless power receiving device, and wireless power transmission device

The present invention relates to a coil unit, a wireless power feeding device, a wireless power receiving device, and a wireless power transmission device.

Recent years have seen growing attention in the fields of electric vehicles and mobile devices to wireless power transmission technologies that wirelessly supply electric power from external sources without use of power cables. When such wireless power transmission technologies are used for chargers that require large power transmission, such as those used in electric vehicles, a large current needs to be passed through the power transmitting coil, leading to an increase in leakage flux. This may cause adverse effects on nearby electronics, such as electromagnetic interference.

To address this problem, for example, Patent Reference 1 discloses a contactless power feeding device whose primary and secondary sides each include the following components arranged in the order given below, as viewed from the air gap: a coil with a flat structure wound in a spiral shape, a ferrite core having a flat planar shape, and an aluminum plate having a flat planar shape. The aluminum plate blocks exposure of leakage flux to the outside.

Patent Reference

[Patent Reference 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-93180

In the field of wireless power transmission technologies, systems that utilize the resonance (sympathetic resonance) phenomenon are becoming mainstream. Compared with electromagnetic induction, use of the resonance phenomenon has an advantage of allowing the distance between the power transmitting and receiving sides to be increased. Such wireless power transmission technologies using the resonance phenomenon require that a reactance circuit for generating resonance be connected to either the starting edge or end edge of the winding of the power transmission coil. However, if such a reactance circuit for generating resonance is connected to only one of the starting edge and end edge of the winding of the power transmission coil, a potential difference develops between the starting edge and end edge of the winding of the power transmission coil. Consequently, a high induced voltage to ground is generated on the metal part owing to the developed potential difference via a parasitic capacitance.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a coil unit, a wireless power feeding device, a wireless power receiving device, and a wireless power transmission device that are capable of reducing high voltage induced on the metal part.

A coil unit according to the present invention includes a power transmission coil, a reactance circuit that forms a resonant circuit together with the power transmission coil, and a metal part disposed on the same side as a back side of the power transmission coil. The reactance circuit has a first reactance circuit connected to one end of a winding the power transmission coil, and a second reactance circuit connected to another end of the winding of the power transmission coil. A ratio of a second reactance value of the second reactance circuit to a first reactance value of the first reactance circuit is set based on a ratio of a mean distance between the winding and the metal part in a part of the winding from the one end to a central portion to a mean distance between the winding and the metal part in a part of the winding from the other end to the central portion.

According to the present invention, the reactance circuit has the first reactance circuit connected to one end of the winding of the power transmission coil, and the second reactance circuit connected to the other end of the winding of the power transmission coil. The ratio of the second reactance value of the second reactance circuit to the first reactance value of the first reactance circuit is set based on the ratio of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding from the one end to the central portion. This results in a smaller difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance created between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil from the one end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the first reactance circuit, and a smaller difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance created between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil from the other end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the second reactance circuit. As a result, high voltage induced on the metal part can be reduced.

Preferably, a ratio M of the second reactance value to the first reactance value is set so as to satisfy Equations (1) and (2) below:

M =(1+α)/(1−α)  Equation (1)

α={( n− 1)/( n+ 1)}·( f/f 0 ) 2   Equation (2)

where n denotes the ratio of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding from the one end to the central portion, f denotes a frequency of an alternating current that passes through the power transmission coil during power transmission, and f 0 denotes a resonance frequency of the resonant circuit.

In this case, the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance created between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil from one end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the first reactance circuit approaches zero without limit, and the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance created between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil from the other end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the second reactance circuit approaches zero without limit. As a result, high voltage induced on the metal part can be further reduced.

More preferably, the winding of the power transmission coil is wound continuously in a layered manner. In this case, the inductance value of the coil can be improved while reducing high voltage induced on the metal part.

A wireless power feeding device according to the present invention includes a power feeding coil unit, and the power feeding coil unit is the coil unit mentioned above. The present invention can provide a wireless power feeding device that makes it possible to reduce high induced voltage on the metal part.

A wireless power receiving device according to the present invention includes a power receiving coil unit, and the power receiving coil unit is the coil unit mentioned above. The present invention can provide a wireless power receiving device that makes it possible to reduce high induced voltage on the metal part.

A wireless power transmission device according to the present invention includes a wireless power feeding device having a power feeding coil unit, and a wireless power receiving device having a power receiving coil unit. At least one of the power feeding coil unit and the power receiving coil unit is the coil unit mentioned above. The present invention can provide a wireless power transmission device that makes it possible to reduce high induced voltage on the metal part.

The present invention can provide a coil unit, a wireless power feeding device, a wireless power receiving device, and a wireless power transmission device that are capable of reducing high voltage induced on the metal part.

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram illustrating, together with a load, a wireless power transmission device employing a coil unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the circuit configuration of a coil unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 a is a plan view of the coil unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 b is a cross-sectional view of the coil unit taken along a cutting-plane line A-A in FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 4 a is a plan view of a coil unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 b is a cross-sectional view of the coil unit taken along a cutting-plane line B-B in FIG. 4 a.

Modes for carrying out the present invention (embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical elements or elements having identical functions are denoted by using the same reference signs, and repetitive description is omitted.

First, referring to FIG. 1 , the general configuration of a wireless power transmission device S 1 employing a coil unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram illustrating, together with a load, a wireless power transmission device employing a coil unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The coil unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be employed for both a power feeding coil unit and a power receiving coil unit in the wireless power transmission device.

The wireless power transmission device S 1 has a wireless power feeding device 100 , and a wireless power receiving device 200 as illustrated in FIG. 1 .

The wireless power feeding device 100 has a power source 110 , a power conversion circuit 120 , and a power feeding coil unit 130 . The power source 110 supplies direct-current (DC) power to the power conversion circuit 120 . The power source 110 is not particularly limited as long as the power source 110 outputs DC power. Examples of such a power source include a DC power source obtained through rectification/smoothing of a commercial alternating-current (AC) power source, a secondary battery, a DC power source obtained through photovoltaic power generation, and a switching power supply such as a switching converter.

The power conversion circuit 120 has a power conversion section 121 , and a switch driving section 122 . The power conversion circuit 120 has the function of converting input DC power supplied from the power source 110 into AC power. More specifically, the power conversion section 121 is constructed of a switching circuit with a plurality of switching elements connected in a bridge configuration. In this embodiment, the power conversion section 121 is a full-bridge circuit using four switching elements SW 1 to SW 4 . Examples of the switching elements SW 1 to SW 4 include elements such as MOS-FETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor-Field Effect Transistors) and IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors). The switching elements SW 1 to SW 4 are respectively controlled to be On/Off in accordance with SW control signals SG 1 to SG 4 supplied from the switch driving section 122 , thus converting input DC power supplied from the power source 110 into AC power.

The power feeding coil unit 130 has the function of feeding AC power supplied from the power conversion circuit 120 to a power receiving coil unit 210 described later. If the wireless power transmission device S 1 according to this embodiment is used as equipment for feeding power to a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, the power feeding coil unit 130 is disposed underground or near the ground.

The wireless power receiving device 200 has the power receiving coil unit 210 , and a rectification section 220 .

The power receiving coil unit 210 has the function of receiving AC power fed from the power feeding coil unit 130 . If the wireless power transmission device S 1 according to this embodiment is used as equipment for feeding power to a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, the power receiving coil unit 210 is disposed in a lower part of the vehicle.

The rectification section 220 rectifies the power received by the power receiving coil unit 210 , and outputs the rectified power to a load RL. In this embodiment, the rectification section 220 includes a bridge circuit with four diodes (rectifying elements) D 1 to D 4 connected in a full-bridge configuration, and a smoothing capacitor C 0 connected in parallel to this bridge circuit. That is, the rectification section 220 has the function of full-wave rectifying the AC power supplied from the power receiving coil unit 210 . The smoothing capacitor C 0 smoothes the rectified voltage to produce a DC voltage.

As a result of this configuration, the power feeding coil unit 130 of the wireless power feeding device 100 and the power receiving coil unit 210 of the wireless power receiving device 200 are magnetically coupled when positioned facing each other. Thus, owing to the near-field transmission effect, an induced electromotive force is excited in the power receiving coil unit 210 by the AC power supplied from the power conversion circuit 120 to the power feeding coil unit 130 . That is, the above configuration provides the wireless power transmission device S 1 in which power is transmitted from the wireless power feeding device 100 to the wireless power receiving device 200 in a contactless manner.

The description now proceeds to the configurations of coil units according to preferred embodiments of the present invention that are used as the power feeding coil unit 130 or the power receiving coil unit 210 mentioned above.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , a coil unit Lu 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the circuit configuration of the coil unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 a is a plan view of the coil unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 b is a cross-sectional view of the coil unit taken along a cutting-plane line A-A in FIG. 3 a For the convenience of explanation, a reactance circuits is not illustrated in FIG. 3 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the coil unit Lu 1 has a power transmission coil L 1 , a metal part SD, and a reactance circuit X.

The power transmission coil L 1 is constructed of a winding of Litz wire including multiple thin conductor strands twisted together. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3 a , the power transmission coil L 1 is a coil of a planar spiral structure with a substantially circular shape. The number of turns in the power transmission coil L 1 is set as appropriate based on various factors, such as the separation distance from the coil that is to be positioned facing the power transmission coil L 1 during power transmission, and the desired power transmission efficiency. If the power transmission coil L 1 is used as the power feeding coil unit 130 of the wireless power transmission device S 1 , the power transmission coil L 1 functions as a power feeding section, and if the power transmission coil L 1 is used as the power receiving coil unit 210 of the wireless power transmission device S 1 , the power transmission coil L 1 functions as a power receiving section.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 b , the metal part SD, which has the outward shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, is disposed on the same side as the back side of the power transmission coil L 1 . Specifically, if the power transmission coil L 1 is used as the power feeding coil unit 130 , the metal part SD is located farther from the power receiving coil unit 210 than is the power transmission coil L 1 in a direction in which the power feeding coil unit 130 and the power receiving coil unit 210 are positioned facing each other. If the power transmission coil L 1 is used as the power receiving coil unit 210 , the metal part SD is located farther from the power feeding coil unit 130 than is the power transmission coil L 1 in a direction in which the power feeding coil unit 130 and the power receiving coil unit 210 are positioned facing each other. In other words, the metal part SD is disposed on the side opposite to the side of the power transmission coil L 1 where power transmission takes place during power transmission. That is, the coil axis of the power transmission coil L 1 is orthogonal to the principal surface of the metal part SD. The metal part SD is made of a conductive material, and acts to absorb electromagnetic waves. That is, the metal part SD serves as a shield member. The metal part SD may be, for example, aluminum, copper, or silver. The metal part SD may be non-magnetic. As for the electrical conductivity of the metal part SD, the higher, the more preferable. As a result of this configuration, a parasitic capacitance C 12 is formed between one end of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD, and a parasitic capacitance C 13 is formed between the other end of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD as illustrated in FIG. 2 . In the first embodiment, an insulating member IL is provided between the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD. In this case, insulation between the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD is ensured, thus preventing a short circuit at both ends of the power transmission coil L 1 . Instead of the insulating member IL, a gap may be provided between the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD.

The reactance circuit X forms a resonant circuit together with the power transmission coil. The reactance circuit X has the function of adjusting the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit. Specifically, the reactance circuit X has a first reactance circuit X 10 , and a second reactance circuit X 11 .

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the first reactance circuit X 10 is connected to one end of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 . That is, the first reactance circuit X 10 is connected in series with the power transmission coil L 1 . The first reactance circuit X 10 is constructed of a resonant capacitor C 10 . Although the first reactance circuit X 10 is constructed of the resonant capacitor C 10 in the first embodiment, this is not intended to be limitative. An inductor may be connected in series or parallel with the resonant capacitor C 10 .

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the second reactance circuit X 11 is connected to the other end of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 . That is, the second reactance circuit X 11 is connected in series with the power transmission coil L 1 . The second reactance circuit X 11 is constructed of a resonant capacitor C 13 . Although the second reactance circuit X 11 is constructed of the resonant capacitor C 13 in the first embodiment, this is not intended to be limitative. An inductor may be connected in series or parallel with the resonant capacitor C 13 .

As described above, the parasitic capacitances C 12 and C 13 are formed between the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD. A difference between the parasitic capacitances C 12 and C 13 leads to a difference in potential between an induced voltage generated via the parasitic capacitance C 12 between one end of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD, and an induced voltage generated via the parasitic capacitance C 13 between the other end of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD. As a result, high voltage is generated on the metal part SD. The present invention aims to reduce high voltage induced on the metal part SD.

Through their extensive research, the present inventors have found that a difference in potential between voltages induced on the metal part SD due to a variation between the parasitic capacitances C 12 and C 13 can be cancelled out by adjusting the ratio between the respective reactance values of the first reactance circuit X 10 and the second reactance circuit X 11 . Specifically, in the first embodiment, the ratio of the second reactance value of the second reactance circuit X 11 to the first reactance value of the first reactance circuit X 10 is set based on the ratio of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in a part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in a part of the winding from one end to the central portion. As for the voltage generated on the metal part SD at this time, the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part SD via the parasitic capacitance C 12 created between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 from one end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the first reactance circuit X 10 , and the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part SD via the parasitic capacitance C 13 created between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 from the other end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the second reactance circuit X 11 are induced. Therefore, the voltage induced on the metal part SD can be reduced by reducing the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part SD via the parasitic capacitance C 12 created between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil. L 1 from one end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the first reactance circuit X 10 , and the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part SD via the parasitic capacitance C 13 created between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 from the other end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the second reactance circuit X 11 . The mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion refers to a value obtained by calculating, at different positions along the part of the winding from one end to the central portion, a plurality of values of the shortest distance between the outer surface part of the winding located closest to the metal part SD and the outer surface part of the metal part SD located on the same side as the winding, and averaging the calculated values. Likewise, the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion refers to a value obtained by calculating, at different positions along the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion, a plurality of values of the shortest distance between the outer surface part of the winding located closest to the metal part SD and the outer surface part of the metal part SD located on the same side as the winding, and averaging the calculated values.

For example, if the parasitic capacitance C 12 is greater than the parasitic capacitance C 13 , this means that the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion is less than the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion. In this case, if the first reactance value of the first reactance circuit X 10 is reduced relative to the second reactance value of the second reactance circuit X 11 , the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part SD via the parasitic capacitance C 12 created between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 from one end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the first reactance circuit X 10 decreases, and the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part SD via the parasitic capacitance C 13 created between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 from the other end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the second reactance circuit X 11 decreases. Conversely, if the parasitic capacitance C 12 is less than the parasitic capacitance C 13 , this means that the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion is greater than the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion. In this case, if the first reactance value of the first reactance circuit X 10 is increased relative to the second reactance value of the second reactance circuit X 11 , the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part SD via the parasitic capacitance C 12 created between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 from one end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the first reactance circuit X 10 decreases, and the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part SD via the parasitic capacitance C 13 created between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 from the other end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the second reactance circuit X 11 decreases.

In this way, a difference in potential between voltages induced on the metal part SD due to a variation between the parasitic capacitances C 12 and C 13 can be cancelled out by adjusting the ratio between the respective reactance values of the first reactance circuit X 10 and the second reactance circuit X 11 .

A ratio M of the second reactance value to the first reactance value is preferably set so as to satisfy Equations (1) and (2) below:

M =(1−α)/(1+α)  Equation (1)

α={( n− 1)/( n+ 1)}·( f/f 0 ) 2   Equation (2)

where n denotes the ratio of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion, f denotes the frequency of an alternating current that passes through the power transmission coil L 1 during power transmission, and f 0 denotes the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit.

In this case, the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance C 12 created between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 from one end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the first reactance circuit X 10 approaches zero without limit, and the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance C 13 created between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 from the other end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the second reactance circuit X 11 approaches zero without limit. As a result, high voltage induced on the metal part SD can be further reduced.

The following provides a detailed description of the principle behind why satisfying the conditions of Equations (1) and (2) mentioned above makes it possible to further reduce high voltage induced on the metal part. For the convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the first reactance circuit X 10 is the resonant capacitor C 10 , and that the second reactance circuit X 11 is the resonant capacitor C 11 . That is, a first reactance value X 100 of the first reactance circuit X 10 satisfies Equation (3) below, and a second reactance value X 110 of the second reactance circuit X 11 satisfies Equation (4) below:

X 100=1/( j·ω·C 100)  Equation (3)

X 110=1/( j·ω·C 110)  Equation (4)

where C 100 is the capacitance value of the resonant capacitor C 10 , and C 110 is the capacitance value of the resonant capacitor C 11 .

That is, from Equation (3) and Equation (4) above, the ratio M of the second reactance value X 110 to the first reactance value X 100 is given by Equation (5).

M=C 100/ C 110  Equation (5)

In the first embodiment, the reactance ratio M is set in order to reduce induced voltage on the metal part SD. The following describes parameters necessary for setting the reactance ratio M.

First, various characteristics of the resonant circuit will be described. Using Equation (5) above, the capacitance value C 100 of the resonant capacitor C 10 is represented as Equation (6). Further, the combined capacitance value C of the resonant capacitor C 10 and the resonant capacitor C 11 is given by Equation (7).

C 100= M·C 110  Equation (6)

C=M /( M+ 1)· C 110  Equation (7)

Further, using Equation (7), the inductance value L 100 of the power transmission coil L 1 is given as Equation (8):

L 100=1/{(2 ·π·f 0 ) 2 ·C}   Equation (8)

where f 0 is the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit.

Next, the parasitic capacitances C 12 and C 13 created between the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD will be described. The values of the parasitic capacitances C 12 and C 13 are inversely proportional to the distance between the power transmission coil L 1 and the metal part SD. Accordingly, the relationship between a value C 120 of the parasitic capacitance C 12 and a value C 130 of the parasitic capacitance C 13 is represented by Equation (9) below:

C 130= n·C 120  Equation (9)

where n is the ratio of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion.

Next, induced voltage on the metal part SD will be described. The value of an induced voltage is determined by the voltage division ratio between the voltage across the power transmission coil L 1 and the parasitic capacitances C 12 and C 13 . Accordingly, an induced voltage Vsd is given by Equation (10):

Vsd=|Vb +( Va−Vb )· C 120/( C 120+ C 130)|  Equation (10)

where Va is the voltage at one end of the power transmission coil L 1 , and Vb is the voltage at the other end of the power transmission coil L 1 .

Now, the voltage Va at one end of the power transmission coil L 1 is given by Equation (11):

Va=V − +( V + −V − )·(ω· C 100−ω 3 ·L 100 ·C 100 ·C 110)/(ω· C 100+ω·110−ω 3 ·L 100 ·C 100 ·C 110)  Equation (11)

where V + and V − are voltages applied to the resonant circuit (of which V + is the voltage applied to an end portion of the resonant capacitor C 10 , and V − is the voltage applied to an end portion of the resonant capacitor C 11 ), and f is the frequency of an alternating current that passes through the power transmission coil L 1 during power transmission.

Likewise, the voltage Vb at the other end of the power transmission coil L 1 is given by Equation (12).

Vb=V − +( V + −V − )·ω· C 100/(ω· C 100+ω· C 110−ω 3 ·L 100 ·C 100 ·C 110)  Equation (12)

Substituting Equations (6), (8), (9), (11), and (12) into Equation (10) yields Equation (13).

Vsd=V + ·{−( n+ 1)·(1+ M )·(1−ω 2 /ω 0 2 )+2·( nM− 1)·ω 2 /ω 0 2 }/{( n+ 1)·(1+ M )·(1−ω 2 /ω 0 2 )}  Equation (13)

From Equation (13), the reactance ratio M is obtained as Equation (14).

M=[{n +( n+ 1)· Vsd/V + }·{1−( f/f 0 ) 2 }+{1+( f/f 0 ) 2 }]/[{1−( n+ 1)· Vsd/V + }{1−( f/f 0 ) 2 }+n·{ 1+( f/f 0 ) 2 }]  Equation (14)

From the above discussion, in order to reduce induced voltage on the metal part SD, the induced voltage Vsd in Equation (14) may be set as Vsd=0. Substituting Vsd=0 into Equation (14) gives Equations (1) and (2). Therefore, induced voltage on the metal part SD can be reduced by setting the reactance ratio M such that Equations (1) and (2) are satisfied.

M =(1−α)/(1+α)  Equation (1)

α={( n− 1)/( n+ 1)}·( f/f 0 ) 2   Equation (2)

As described above, in the coil unit Lu 1 according to the first embodiment, the reactance circuit has the first reactance circuit connected to one end of the winding of the power transmission coil, and the second reactance circuit connected to the other end of the winding of the power transmission coil. The ratio of the second reactance value of the second reactance circuit to the first reactance value of the first reactance circuit is set based on the ratio of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion. This results in a smaller difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance created between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil from one end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the first reactance circuit, and a smaller difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance created between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil from the other end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the second reactance circuit. As a result, high voltage induced on the metal part can be reduced.

In the coil unit Lu 1 according to the first embodiment according to the first embodiment, the ratio M of the second reactance value to the first reactance value is set so as to satisfy Equations (1) and (2) below:

M =(1+α)/(1−α)  Equation (1)

α={( n− 1)/( n+ 1)}·( f/f 0 ) 2   Equation (2)

where n denotes the ratio of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion, f denotes the frequency of an alternating current that passes through the power transmission coil during power transmission, and f 0 denotes the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit.

Consequently, the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance created between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil from one end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the first reactance circuit approaches zero without limit, and the difference between the value of voltage induced on the metal part via the parasitic capacitance created between the winding and the metal part in the part of the winding of the power transmission coil from the other end to the central portion, and the value of voltage applied across the second reactance circuit approaches zero without limit. As a result, high voltage induced on the metal part can be reduced.

Second Embodiment

Next, a coil unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 a is a plan view of the coil unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 b is a cross-sectional view of the coil unit taken along a cutting-plane line B-B in FIG. 4 a . For the convenience of explanation, the reactance circuits X 10 and X 11 are not illustrated in FIG. 4 b . The coil unit according to the second embodiment differs from the coil unit Lu 1 according to the first embodiment in that this coil unit includes a power transmission coil L 2 instead of the power transmission coil L 1 . The following description will mainly focus on differences from the first embodiment. Since the metal part SD and the reactance circuits X 10 and X 11 are configured in the same manner as those of the coil unit Lu 1 according to the first embodiment, a description of these components will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 a , the power transmission coil L 2 is a coil of a planar spiral structure with a substantially circular shape. The number of turns in the power transmission coil L 2 is set as appropriate based on various factors, such as the separation distance from the coil that is to be positioned facing the power transmission coil L 2 during power transmission, and the desired power transmission efficiency. In the second embodiment, the winding of the power transmission coil L 2 is wound continuously in a layered manner as illustrated in FIG. 4 b . Specifically, the winding is wound continuously in a layered manner such that one end of the winding is located in the layer farthest from the metal part. In the second embodiment, the power transmission coil L 2 is a coil with a two-layer winding structure in which the winding of the first layer and then the winding of the second layer are wound in the stated order as viewed from the metal part SD. At this time, the end edge of the winding of the first layer and the starting edge of the winding of the second layer are coupled, thus providing the power transmission coil L 2 with a winding that is wound continuously in a layered manner. Although the power transmission coil L 2 is wound such that the winding of the first layer and the winding of the second layer are wound in the stated order as viewed from the metal part SD in the second embodiment, this is not intended to be limitative. The winding may be wound such that the second layer of the power transmission coil L 2 is located closer to the metal part SD than is the first layer.

In the power transmission coil L 2 , the reactance circuit X 10 (first reactance circuit) is connected to an end portion of the winding in the layer closest to the metal part SD. That is, in the second embodiment, the reactance circuit X 10 (first reactance circuit) is connected to an end portion of the first layer of winding of the power transmission coil L 2 . Furthermore, in the power transmission coil L 2 , the reactance circuit X 11 (second reactance circuit) is connected to an end portion of the winding in the layer farthest from the metal part SD. That is, in the second embodiment, the reactance circuit X 11 (second reactance circuit) is connected to an end portion of the second layer of winding of the power transmission coil L 2 .

As described above, in the coil unit according to the second embodiment, the power transmission coil L 2 has a winding that is wound continuously in a layered manner. As a result, the inductance value of the coil can be improved while reducing high voltage induced on the metal part.

Hereinafter, reduction of high induced voltage on the metal part SD and adjustment of the reactance value of the reactance circuit according to the embodiments mentioned above will be described in more specific detail by way of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1.

As Examples 1 and 2, the coil unit Lu 1 according to the first embodiment was used with the ratio n set to 1.5 times, the ratio n being the ratio of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion. The second reactance value of the second reactance circuit X 11 according to Example 1 was set to 1.55 times the first reactance value of the first reactance circuit X 10 , based on the ratio n of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion. Further, the second reactance value of the second reactance circuit X 11 according to Example 2 was set to 1.6 times the first reactance value of the first reactance circuit X 10 , based on the ratio n of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion. The coil unit that was used as Comparative Example 1 for comparison of its characteristics with Examples 1 and 2 is the coil unit Lu 1 according to the first embodiment with the ratio n set to 1.5 times, the ratio n being the ratio of the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from the other end to the central portion to the mean distance between the winding and the metal part SD in the part of the winding from one end to the central portion, in which only the first reactance circuit X 10 is connected to one end of the winding of the power transmission coil L 1 . In Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1, a single-layer coil was used as a power transmission coil.

Subsequently, as for the voltage to be applied in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1, the power transmission coil was applied with an AC voltage of 400 V at which the frequency of alternating current passing through the power transmission coil during power transmission is 90 kHz, and the induced voltage on the metal part SD was measured. At this time, the induced voltage on the metal part SD was measured by using a digital multimeter. The positive-side terminal of the digital multimeter was connected to the metal part SD, and the negative terminal was connected to the earth. Voltages above the rated voltage of the digital multimeter were measured through resistance voltage division.

The measurement results according to Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 are presented in Table 1.

It is appreciated from Table 1 that although an induced voltage of 2430 [V] was applied to the metal part in Comparative Example 1, the applied voltage was reduced to 28.5 [V] in Example 1 and to 22.2 [V] in Example 2. That is, it was confirmed that setting the reactance value of the second reactance circuit X 11 as in Examples 1 and 2 makes it possible to reduce high voltage induced on the metal part SD.

100 wireless power feeding device, 110 power source, 120 power conversion circuit, 121 power conversion section, 122 switch driving section, 130 power feeding coil unit, 200 wireless power receiving device, 210 power receiving coil unit, 220 rectification section, C 0 smoothing capacitor, C 10 , C 11 resonant capacitor, C 12 , C 13 parasitic capacitance, D 1 to D 4 diode, L 1 , L 2 power transmission coil, Lu 1 coil unit, RL load, S 1 wireless power transmission device, SG 1 to SG 4 SW control signal, SW 1 to SW 4 switching element, X 10 first reactance circuit, X 11 second reactance circuit.